When We’re Battling Invisible Enemies

When we battle invisible enemies, our God is eternal, immortal, invisible and invincible.

“To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”

I Timothy 1:17 (ESV)

Covid-19 is a formidable, intangible, invisible enemy. If I inhale a lung-full of air, am I breathing in the virus? I don’t know; I can’t see it. And if I touch a countertop or a shelf, am I picking up the virus on my fingertips? I don’t know; I can’t feel it. It enters a room silently, stealthily, so I can’t hear it coming. And I don’t much care for surprises—especially the ones that could potentially cause an explosion of misfortune.

Over the past year I’ve experienced an undercurrent of anxiety. Not a thunderous, heart-thumping, panic-producing anxiety. My anxiety resembles the hum of an electric motor…ever-present background noise I usually manage to tune out. Still, the hum of anxiety prevents the perfect peace I crave.

I’ve also developed the habit of grinding my teeth. Subconsciously, I’m steeling myself against an attack that might be just around the corner.

Because on some level, I’m always aware of the unseen enemy.

But if the enemy is invisible, I have to remind myself I also have an invisible Defender. God, in the Person of the Holy Spirit, is also ever-present. Sometimes we forget he’s with us because he’s invisible, like the air.

We can’t see air, but we see what it does, and we certainly would know if it wasn’t there. When discussing spiritual things with a man named Nicodemus, Jesus used the example of wind to illustrate the Holy Spirit.

“Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

John 3: 7-8 (ESV)

If we think about it, we’re accustomed to believing in things we can’t see. And if we have an invisible, hard-to-kill enemy, we also have an invisible, immortal God who always existed and will never die. We have unseen forces surrounding us and fighting for us.

II Kings tells of an incident when these unseen forces became visible. The King of Syria sent an army to capture the prophet Elisha. When Elisha’s servant saw the army of horses and chariots surrounding the city, he panicked. But Elisha calmed the servant’s fears with this wonderful revelation:

“‘Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ Then Elisha prayed and said, ‘O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.’ So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”

II Kings 6: 16-17 (ESV)

 

Our limited senses can’t perceive everything, so we must admit the existence of unseen forces. Yet we needn’t live in fear of invisible enemies. Elisha was on to something. Though he battled a formidable enemy, Elisha knew that the unseen forces fighting for him surpassed the opposition.

Now, I’m not implying God guarantees we won’t succumb to Covid-19. But God will be fighting beside us in every battle we face. He will guide us in every decision we make concerning our health. He is able to deliver us, but even if he choses to call us home instead, he is worthy of honor and glory.

Father, even though I can’t see you, I know you are with me. I know you are greater than invisible enemies who might attack. You are eternal, immortal. You are the only God, and I trust your plans for my life. Ease my anxiety and help me rest in the assurance that you will always be near.

Though we can’t see God, we can see what he does. If you don’t keep a prayer journal, now is a good time to begin. Keep a record of things you ask for and the answers God gives. Ask God to open your eyes to the ways he’s working in your life and in the world.

Memorize II Timothy 1:17. Say it aloud at times when you battle unseen enemies.